Are Treatments for Subterranean Termites Toxic to Dogs?

Dogs are more than pets – to some, they're family and they deserve a secure home. But while dealing with insect infestations like that of subterranean termites, you may be concerned about the safety and well-being of your household pets. When termites infest a home, they jeopardize safety in a variety of ways, including physical damages to your property, expenditures for treatments, and sometimes, the toxicity of the treatments to your pets.

So are treatments for subterranean termites toxic to dogs? Sometimes, the chemicals used to exterminate termites may be hazardous to your dog, which is why you should carefully choose what type of treatments you’ll be using for your home. For best results, get in touch with pest control professionals to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the termite extermination plan.  

Are Subterranean Termite Treatments Toxic to Dogs?

As most termite treatments are chemical in nature such as a chemical barrier, liquid termiticide, termite baits and bait stations, and a termite killer solution, they can be especially harmful when ingested by our furry friends. But when you see signs of termites, which include mud tubes, wood damage, structural damage, and dead termites, you might be thinking it's time to have a termite inspection done to see the extent of termite damage to your home or building.

Termite management should focus on the places where termites are a problem, which means that living spaces should be reasonably safe from the toxic effects of liquid treatment, especially if the termite infestation is limited to outdoor areas. But termite treatment is rarely totally effective; the pests sometimes hide underground in their mud tubes just to reappear in a short period of time and the chemicals used for these treatments may be dangerous to humans as well as dogs.

Be especially careful of commercial termiticides bought in stores. Even though the termite treatment label specifies that it is safe for people, this does not imply that it is also suitable for dogs or other pets. DIY termite treatment is just not worth the danger, both in terms of health and property damage, especially if you have a pet in the house.

Professional termite control companies are required to follow safety regulations in their operations. That implies they must consider not only human safety but also your dog's health. In many circumstances, the entire family may be asked to leave the house for a day or more while the fumigation procedure is underway; this is inconvenient for the tenants, and the issues are increased if they have a pet dog. Motels may not accept dogs, and relatives and neighbors may be hesitant to welcome a dog into their homes. 

What are the Effects of Termiticide On Dogs?

Insecticides are often used to keep pests off plants and to keep fleas and ticks off pets. Although pesticides are safe when applied properly, they can cause toxicity if handled incorrectly or accidentally consumed. Any location that is in close proximity to your dog should be avoided when applying chemical treatments. Pesticide poisoning can be lethal, so take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible for decontamination if ever they've ingested any.

Any pesticide can produce poisoning, which can cause mild to severe symptoms. Decontamination and flushing the pesticide out of the system, whether by vomiting or emptying the bowels, are the main goals of pesticide treatment.  

What To Know About Termite Treatment Procedures

A pet is smaller than a human. This means that treatments that you think are minimal to harming a human family member, may not be too small to harm a dog, cat, or other pet. The main issue is that animals and pets are extremely tiny and easily poisoned. Even if you believe it’s safe to stay, evacuate your pet as soon as possible.

When termite treatments are contained outside one's home, or targeted to exterior parts of the home, indoor pets are usually safe. Large-scale fumigation of the home will require all occupants to depart, including pets as these treatments are significantly more thorough and represent a danger to your pets. Following a big treatment like this, a professional will inspect the property and notify you when it’s safe to come home with all family members.

Other factors necessitate particular caution when it comes to your dogs and termite treatments. One is that your pets are right down on the floor, which is where the termites dwell and hence where they’re exterminated. While you would be concerned about what you eat, lick, and where you smell, your pets aren’t at all bothered about what they eat, lick, or where they smell.

When something is poisonous, you can recognize it and avoid eating, drinking, or smelling it. A dog or cat is unable to detect this and is thus more likely to become ill as a result. However, some termite treatments do not require you to leave your house because they are not toxic to humans. This doesn’t imply, however, that they aren’t toxic to pets. Your pet is only in danger if chemicals are sprayed in or around your house because of their heightened sense of smell and general curiosity. 

When you have a pet, you can expect them to spend a lot of time outside the house. Dogs may consume and absorb pesticides via their skin, as well as breathe in the chemical odor, because they examine everything with their nose. When your dog is outside of the home, he will be biting, clawing, and even licking the poisonous areas. As a result, following a termite treatment, you must keep your dog away from the treated areas until it’s safe. You should discuss this with the exterminators and determine how long it will take. 

What to Do Before, During, and After Treatments

Before

When fumigating, you need to remove pet toys, food bowls, and other objects from the afflicted areas. Cover all of the human and pet food or remove it from the house, as well as anything else that may absorb the chemicals, such as textiles. When certain treatments have dried, they’re perfectly safe for your domestic pets. Choose the best strategy to get rid of termites in your home while always keeping your safety and preferences in mind.

You should tell the professional pest control company you plan to hire about any pets you have during your consultation call so that they can tailor the treatment program to your needs. To protect the safety of your pets, read the label on the pesticide treatment used by the service provider before beginning the pest control treatment. You may also ask your veterinarian about this to ensure that your dogs are safe.

During and After

If you have pets in your house, it's preferable to engage a professional pest control service business, as their knowledge and expertise will protect your pets' safety. Pets and animals should be kept out of your house or rooms that have been treated for at least 24 hours to allow the termiticide to dry completely and not hurt your pets. If the treatment was applied to your home's exterior, you must wait at least 20 to 30 minutes before putting your dogs outside. 

Future Solutions To Harmful Chemical Treatments

Modern technology has produced new termite eradication procedures that do not require the use of harmful chemicals, and in some cases, do not even require the use of chemicals at all. Non-fumigation termite control entails the use of low-toxicity chemicals to eliminate termites. The treatment is done in one day, ensuring the safety of both humans and pets, as well as eliminating the need to locate a place to stay for a night or two.

Microwaves are another way of eliminating pests. Professionals thoroughly investigate the premises, locate termite nests, and properly direct the microwaves, which quickly destroy the vermin. If you want to keep your dog or other pets safe while termite eradication is taking place in your house, you should choose a professional termite removal firm. The trademarks of a reputable organization are guaranteed safety, minimum inconvenience, and industry-leading procedures.

It may mean walking your dog across the street or not letting your cat out to play for an extended period of time. This, however, will be worthwhile because it will ensure the survival of your animals. Termite control is beneficial to both the house and the people who reside there. It is, however, not suitable for pets. As a result, make sure they're protected so they can enjoy long and happy lives. 

Effective and Long-Term Solutions for Termite Infestations at Pinnacle Pest Control

If you need an entire termite colony eradicated, Pinnacle Pest Control has you covered. We will fully assess your home situation to limit the exposure of families to toxic treatments. We evaluate your property to establish the amount of your existing pest infestation and then treat the affected areas using the best treatments available in the market, deploying methods like sand barriers, liquid barriers, and liquid-soil termiticides to ensure the fullest protection.

Rest assured that Pinnacle Pest control will use only the best methods to ensure the safety of your pets as well. We treat the inside and exterior perimeters with particular materials that bugs despise in order to avoid future infestation. 

Call us now at 916-381-5793.